Homura IS getting positive emotions, of course this evening would be good for her.
...Unless we ask her to analyze it, and then her self-defeating inner voice might let us hear her reduce the benefit. I would believe that voice is still active.
I'll reccomend "subtle." The goal is to thread a very specific path, with no errors.
Thus, I want us to tell and ask in ways that do not trigger her negative self-talk. That is, present consequential and objective statements, and jump to conclusions that all present the good stuff, without presenting an opening for her to evaluate in conversation. We hopefully jump past her self-evaluation somewhat. Help me do that better?
I find varied appeal in the candidate vote, so here are line notes.
[] Politics discussion
-[] Refine the "be kind to each other" statement - you do recognize that a functioning justice system is ultimately a threat of force; you have been completely explicit about your intent to drop the hammer on people that abuse Clear Seeds.
--[] You'd just prefer less "20 angry magical girls at your front door" and more "modern policing organization".
The concept that we are FAR less likely to intend execution is a big seller, too?
I sat down to vote for "talk about Homura with Mami" and couldn't make it ten words without it getting creepily invasive. We know so much more about Homura than anyone else that I don't know if we can talk about her with anyone else without sharing too many details.
However, while I was fighting with workarounds for that, I think I found something awesome. Specifically, I think we can simultaneously hit every major point we've discussed w.r.t Homura over roughly the last six updates:
[] After Madoka and Sayaka leave:
-[] "Casually" observe to Homura that tonight might be the happiest you've ever seen Madoka.
Very good lead. None better!
--[] Brief background: Madoka has self-worth issues, right? She needs to feel like she's contributing, and she doubts herself and needs friends to support her and convince her that she's doing okay.
Correct, and well. But try not to hammer, (we love using the hammer sometimes, I know) generalize first. Mention how each friend was participating at such a level of comfort. Talk about Hitomi and Sayaka first? Ask about her thoughts on our 'Cabinet' gambit, and bro fist with her for carrying out her part?
--[] You're helping with the first, the whole politics thing, and you and Sayaka are doing your best about the second, but only Homura can really do that. Madoka admires her and values her opinion more than she does anyone else's. It's so strong that Mami can feel it. With actual magic.
First part is excellent, make Homura experience mission creep. As she becomes responsible for the complete path of protecting Madoka from her Wish-ues, the only effective steps involve bonding, growth and mutual aid. We can let her consider it whatever makes her comfortable, but to us it is a good start to a deep friendship.
Second part, Whoa, this might be too far, too fast. Describing Madoka closer and closer to Homura is something Homura still has conflict over. We haven't finished defusing that yet?
Saying Madoka's regard is very strong, and that Homura is her number one influence, is applying lots of force to a weak support. Do we think this is time yet?
--[] Point out that even Sayaka has apparently noticed that Homura is good for Madoka; after all, she spent most of tonight giving Homura opportunities to look cool in front of Madoka and spend time with her.
Let Sayaka run off of her shipping leash -without comment-, or Homura will just get self-conscious past her endurance? Just put it down to Sayaka is totally fine with Homura, meaning that she won't be steering Madoka away from safety (Homura) over some overblown reaction. Homura MUST accept that she is defending Madoka, so we can have her allow the concept that "protection requires presence." "Never seen her so relaxed before." Avoid saying "Homura is good for Madoka" yet, so she has no excuse to counter it.
--[] *Don't* phrase it to suggest romance. For now, it's enough to use it as evidence of Sayaka's trust and to give Homura tangible evidence that she's helping. It's not a coincidence that Madoka spent the entire evening beaming and bouncing in her seat next to Homura.
Fine, and well. We should let Homura interpret Madoka in high spirits reflecting a more general success, one that Homura can associate with her mission for the time being. "Happy Madoka is not going to do extreme things. Preventing crises from spiraling out of control lets her work on the issue of self-worth without Wishing."
Good things happened, and I want everyone to internalize them. The way to defend Homura's smile ATM is a very specific form of "stop thinking, and just feel the happiness."
Let me offer the chance for us to steer the conversation while perceiving the landmines. Avoiding the 'counter' is how we win for Homura.
If we think Mami and Homura would allow us to have this conversation all together, it's desirable. I think Kaizuki's intent is well, and possible. The idea of doing it in one leap is something I would see better as two or more steps, so we could take this smaller step right now.
The inherent discomfort Mami has in the Timestop environment is a metaphor for not synchronizing with Homura's worldview very well, IMHO. I think we can hope to make general improvement by drawing them in.
Mami is very used to Not Thinking About things.
Sounds to be just the case.
